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BKW Energie

BKW Energie AG (BKW; formerly known as Bernische Kraftwerke AG) is a power production and distribution utility with its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland. It also provides gas and heat through a number of subsidiaries or partner companies. It mainly operates in the canton of Bern, but is also present in Italy, Germany and Austria.

BKW Energie AG
Company typeAktiengesellschaft
ISINCH0130293662 Edit this on Wikidata
IndustryElectrical power
Founded1898
HeadquartersBern, Switzerland
Key people
  • Roger Baillod (chairman)
  • Robert Itschner (CEO)
ProductsProduction and distribution of electrical power
Revenue5.20 billion CHF (2022)
1.04 billion CHF (2022)
Increase 712.9 million CHF (2022)
Number of employees
11,500 (2022)
Websitewww.bkw.ch

History

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Share of the Bernische Kraftwerke AG, issued 5. April 1909

BKW was founded in 1898 as Aktiengesellschaft Elektrizitätswerk Hagneck. The name was changed to Bernische Kraftwerke AG in 1909. In 1995, it changed to its present name. BKW FMB Energie AG, to emphasize the internationalization of the company's business plan.

It has been quoted on the BX Swiss since 1969.[citation needed] As from 2003, it is also present at the Swiss Stock Exchange.[1] The largest shareholder is the canton of Bern, with 52.54%.[2] The Swiss energy provider Groupe E SA holds a further 10% of BKW.[2] Although the German power company E.ON Energie AG once also had a large stake (20.99% share as of 2007), in 2010 it began selling off its share of BKW.[3] By 2014 E.ON had only 6.7 of BKW and took steps to sell its remaining stake via exchangeable bonds, completing its divestiture by October of that year.[4]

Since 2013 the board chair of BKW Group has been Roger Baillod.[5] The CEO is Robert Itschner, who took over from Suzanne Thoma in late 2022.[5][6] Head of finances is Martin Zwyssig.[5]

In its annual report for 2022, BKW reported revenue of CHF 5.199 billion, an increase of 46% over 2021, and record-high earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of CHF 1.038 billion (+163% over 2021). Net profit increased 191% to CHF 712.9 million.[7]: 26–27  The total employee count grew by some 800 new workers to 11,500.[7]: 4 

Power production

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With a yearly energy sale of 24.2 TW⋅h the BKW is one of the biggest Swiss power utilities. Of this, 9.7 TW⋅h is produced by own plants or by shares in other facilities. As of 2007 the mix is mainly composed of nuclear (61.87%) and hydroelectric (37.96%) power. The remainder is produced by renewable sources like solar, wind, or biomass. Due to the necessity to diversify the mix and satisfy the increasing demand, BKW is introducing some fossil fuel power through shares in abroad plants.[8]

Fossil fuel power

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In 2008 a new 800 MW combined cycle gas power plant started operation in Livorno Ferraris (province of Vercelli, Italy). BKW possesses a 25% share.

Hydroelectric power

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BKW produces up to 52% of its power through owned or shared hydroelectric plants in Switzerland and Italy.[9]

The owned plants are located mainly in Bern canton:[10]

  • Aarberg, Bern canton: 15.2 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Bannwil, Bern canton: 28.5 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Kallnach, Bern canton: 8.1 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Kandergrund, Bern canton: 18.8 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Mühleberg, Bern canton: 45 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Niederried, Bern canton: 15 MW installed load, owned plant[9]
  • Schattenhalb, Bern canton, two plants: 12 MW (2.3 + 9.7) combined installed load, owned plants[9]
  • Spiez, Bern canton: 18.6 MW installed load, owned plant[9]

Some of the group companies also produce hydroelectric power. The BKW portions of the installed production are:

The rest is generated through holdings. The production portions of the BKW are:

Nuclear power

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Around 60% of the energy produced comes from nuclear plants. BKW owns the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant and three shares in other Swiss or French facilities:

Solar power

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BKW possesses or shares an increasing number of solar plants of various size. The most important are:

  • Mont-Soleil, Bern canton: 560 kW installed power, 17.8% output share
  • Stade de Suisse, Bern canton: 1300 kW installed power, owned plant

Wind power

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Juvent wind power plant

BKW produces wind power at two plants:

Major future developments

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Biomass power

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Fossil fuel power

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  • In 2008 started the construction of a new 800 MW coal power plant in the city of Wilhelmshaven (Lower Saxony, Germany). BKW takes part to the project with a 33% share (240 MW). It should start production in 2012.[13]
  • BKW is considering to build with other partners a 900 MW coal power plant in Dörpen (Lower Saxony, Germany).[14]
  • The Papierfabrik Utzenstorf AG and BKW are planning to build in Utzenstorf (canton of Bern, Switzerland) a combined cycle gas power plant. It should start operation in 2016 and deliver power, steam and heat.[15]
  • Irsina (province of Matera, Italy) has been chosen as possible location for a planned 400 MW combined cycle gas power plant.[8]

Hydroelectric power

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  • In 2008, BKW started construction of a new run-of-the-river plant on the Alpbach torrent in Kandersteg (canton of Bern, Switzerland). The 2.6 MW installation should start production in 2009. BKW possesses a 60% share.[16]
  • BKW has an 80% share in a company that is building a new small hydroelectric plant in Wiler (Valais, Switzerland). The 1.4 MW station should start operation in 2010.[17]
  • Schattenhalb 3 is a new 10 MW hydroelectric power plant which construction started in 2008. It is located in Schattenhalb (canton of Bern, Switzerland) and is planned to start production in 2010. It will be operated by a subsidiary of BKW.[18]
  • BKW and the municipality of Tinizong-Rona (canton of Graubünden, Switzerland) will build a new 7.5 MW plant that will exploit the Errbach torrent.[19]

Nuclear power

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In the 2020s, the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant will probably cease its activity and the contracts for importing nuclear energy from France will expire. BKW and Axpo founded Resun AG to prevent the consequent energy lack. Its purpose is to manage the administrative procedure for building two new nuclear plants up to 1600 MW each.

Transmission grid

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BKW provides around one million people in 400 municipalities in Bern Canton and surroundings with power, through its local and distribution networks of up to 132 kV. It also owns 665 km of 220 kV and 56 km of 380 kV lines, although their operation is entrusted to the national transmission company Swissgrid AG.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "BKW N Stock price and performance". SIX. Tab "Share Details". Retrieved 4 March 2024. Listing Date 28.05.2003
  2. ^ a b "BKW Aktie". finanzen.ch (in German). Section "Aktionärsstruktur". Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  3. ^ "E.ON To Sell 21% Stake In Swiss BKW". NS Energy. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  4. ^ "E.ON successfully issued an exchangeable bond based on shares of BKW AG" (Press release). E.ON. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Group Executive Board and Board of Directors". BKW. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  6. ^ "BKW : Robert Itschner to be the new CEO of BKW" (PDF) (Press release). BKW. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Annual Report 2022 (PDF) (Report). BKW. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Annual report 2007[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Hydropower". BKW (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Statistik der Wasserkraftanlagen der Schweiz" [Statistics on the Swiss hydroelectric power plants] (in German, French, and Italian). Bundesamt für Energie BFE. 2008. Archived from the original (ZIP compilation of PDF files) on 2011-05-20.
  11. ^ Acquisition of the Bockelwitz plant[permanent dead link‍] (press release, in German).
  12. ^ a b Biomass plants in Italy Archived 2007-07-30 at archive.today (press release, in German).
  13. ^ Start of construction in Wilhelmshaven[permanent dead link‍] (press release, in German).
  14. ^ Coal power plant in Dörpen[permanent dead link‍] press release, in German).
  15. ^ "Web page of the planned combined cycle gas power plant in Utzenstorf". Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  16. ^ Start of construction of the Alpbach plant[permanent dead link‍] (press release, in German).
  17. ^ Start of construction of the Milibach plant Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine (press release, in German).
  18. ^ Authorization for Schattenhalb 3[permanent dead link‍] (press release, in German).
  19. ^ Agreement for the construction of a new plant in Tinizong-Rona[permanent dead link‍] (press release, in German).
  20. ^ BKW Facts and Figures Archived 2009-06-24 at the Wayback Machine, 2007
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